Rotary type can opener



Oct. 9, 1945. R, E, Meu-:AN 2,386,490

ROTARY TYPE CAN O PENER Filed Feb. 15, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 8. v SMQ/Wk. 4W f fz Roberti?. MLean .39 l

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Oct. 9, 1945. R. E. McLl-:AN 2,386,490

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER v Filed Feb. 15, v1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 bracket arm, as shown particularly in Figures 4 and 6.

At its top end the spring plate I1 is integrally coupled with the relatively broad substantially U-shaped spring I5 which comprises the upper and lower arms 2|! and 2|, the lower arm 2| forming a right angle, rearward extension of the upper end of the spring plate and resting upon the top edge of the bracket arm l as shown.

The upper arm 26 of the spring is of sulcient length to extend forwardly across the top plate i3 of the body where it joins the upper end of the downwardly extending or depending cutter element supporting plate 22. 'This plate 22 is of suiiicient length to extend to the plane of the bottom surface of the body lower arm I4, as shown in Figure 4, when the spring l 9 is fiexed or compressed into working position.

In the inoperative position of the spring i9 the top spring arm 25 is raised from the top of the body and extends in divergent relation with the under-arm 2|.A Consequently, when the spring is in its inoperative position the cutter element supporting plate 22 ismoved upwardly and outwardly away from the front side of the :body IB, as shown in Figure 6.

The lower portion of the spring plate I1 in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive and 8, extends a substantial distancebelow the lower edge of the bracket arm l0 to form a bearing frame which is generally designated 23 and which comprises the vertical front side 2t which actually forms a downward continuation of the plate l1, but is cut inwardly at its sides to a reduced width as shown in Figure 1, the horizontal rearwardly extending part 25 and the vertical terminal portion 26 which is substantially parallel with the side 24 and which at its upper end is notched or recessed as indicated at 21, to receive the lower edge of the arm lil. The particular function of' this bearing frame is hereinafter more specifically described.

The upper and lower arm portions of ther body il are suitably apertured to receive the ends of a guide sleeve 23, which ends are rmly secured to the body arms so that the sleeve is held against movement.

The lower larm l of the body has its forward edge centrally cut out or recessed as indicated at 29 and the portions of the outer ends of the two spaced parallel parts 3, which are formed by the cutting of the recess 29, are turned upwardly and backwardly or inwardly to form the guides 3|.

The cutter carrying plate 22 does not extend in its full width to the lower arm of the body but only at; its central portion as shown in Figure 1 and this central portion forms a tongue 32 which is of a width to pass between the guides 3| and which, in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, carries upon its inner side the cutter or knife 33. The lower end of this knife extends below the tongue 32 and is cut obliquely and suitably beveled to form the cutting edge or blade 34.

Extending into` and through the major extent of the guide sleeve 28, is a bearing sleeve 35, the upper end of which has the disc head 36. This bearing sleeve 35 extends through the opening 31 in the upper spring arm 20 so that the disc head 36 rests upon the top of the spring arm 20.

Extending through the bearing sleeve `35 is the driving wheel shaft 38. This shaft extends entirely through both the guide sleeve and the bearing sleeve and has xedto its lower end the can. rim or flange engaging driving wheel 39 which has the oblique or diagonal teeth i0 formed around the periphery thereof.

Disposed over the disc head 36 is an upright substantially U-shaped frame 4I which comprises the horizontal bottom portion 42 and the spaced vertical or upright arms 43. The upper end of the drive Wheel shaft 38 passes through l side leg portions 41 and the cross top portion '38.

As shown in Figure 1, the yoke 66 is of materially greater width than the frame 5| and `the legs 41 of the yoke have the frame disposed midway therebetween and are connected with the side members of the frameby the pivot pin |59 which passes through 'the side members t3 and is fixed at its ends to the legs 41. Thus the yoke 46 oscillates on the vertical members of the frame and this oscillation iseffected through the medium of the hand crank 50, one end of which is secured to the cross portion 48 of the yoke while the opposite end carries the grip or knob 5|.

The topor cross portion 48 of the yoke 36 is set forwardly slightly with respect to the pivot pin 419 so that when the hand crank 5D is in horizontal position the back edge of the portion i8 will be a substantial distance forwardly of the stop shoulders 45, as shown in Figures 2 and 4,*but when the handle is oscillated upwardly and rearwardly the back edge of the portion 48 will swing down into engagement with the shoulders i5 and thus limit theforward movement of the lower ends of the legs 5 1, as is shown in Figure 6.

Each leg 61 of the yoke carries a pivot pin 52 which projects from its inner side toward, but is spaced from, the adjacent vertical portion 153' of the frame 4|. Each of these pivot pins 52 carries a bearing wheel 53, the periphery of which has constant contact with the underlying top surface of the disc head 36, when the hand crank 50 is in its down, horizontal or operative position as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4. When the handle is raised to its inoperative position the anti-friction wheels or rollers 53 are free of contact with the disc head, as shown in Figure 6, and the upper spring arm 2|) is free to rise and lift the bearing sleeve on the driverwheel shaft. When so lifted thetop of the disc head 36 comes intocontact with the bottom cross piece 42 of the U frame dl.

The bearing frame 23 is designed to support the arbor 54 which passes through suitable openings formed in the parts 24 and 26 of this frame. Between these parts the arbor carries the spacer sleeve 55.

At its forward end the arbor 54 is screw threaded as indicated at 56 and such forward end merges with the integral pivot stem extension 51 which lies directly below the center of the drive wheel and drive wheel shaft.

The threaded forward end of arbor 54 passes 'through and may be threaded in the vertical tailpiece 58 of a vertical spring bracket plate 59 through which the stem 51 passes. This plate 59 assenso is in spaced relation with the tau-piece sa. with `which it is `integrally connected, and there is threaded on the forward end of the arbor between the tall-piece 58 and the plate 59, the securing nut which bears against the tail-piece and maintains it firmly in position against the front side of the bearing frame 23.

The resilient bracket plate 59 has the pivot' sternextended 'therethroughv and from the upper` end of this plate extends the forwardly and downwardly turned finger di which performs the function of retaining in position upon the pivot stem.v the can rim supporting wheel d2. This wheel 62 is rotatably supported upon the outer end of the stem 67 and it has a broad peripheral face lwhich lies in close proximity to the underside of the can rim engaging, driving wheel Se and extends across the edge of such wheel upon the side adjacent to the knife 33.

The wheel 62 has the relatively long hub portion B3 which is encircled, near its inner end, by the collar 64. This collar is located between the bracket plate d@ and the downturned finger Si and the finger and collar coact to prevent they wheel, as shown in Figure 6.

'I'he hand lever or crank is then oscillated forwardly and downwardly to the horizontal position in which it is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4. This will cause the bearing wheels 53 to be forced down against the disc head 38, thus forcing the bearing sleeve downwardly on the driving wheel shaft and also extending the arm 2e of the spring down to the horizontal position in which it is shown m Figures 2 and 4.. This motion brings the cutting edge of the knife down against' the top 6l of the can and causes the edge to cut through the cantop and at the same time move out toward the can body Il and the driving wheel shaft which is designated 38', is extended downwardly beyond the canrim or bead engaging driving wheel and has secured thereon the sleeve 66, around the upper and lower ends of which are formed the wheels Si and 88 respectively. These wheels 61 and 68 contact the side wall of the can and they are, in addition, of a diameter lslightly greater than the diameter of the can rim engaging driving wheel so that the upper wheel 6l, in addition tocontacting the side wall ofthe can, has the under edge of the can rim resting thereon and thus functions to support the can inthe same manner 'as the wheel t2.

Figure d illustrates a modified embodiment of the cutter mechanism. This cutter mechanism may be used in association with the supporting wheel structure S2 or the modified embodiment thereof whichis shown in Figure 7.

In the modified embodiment oi the cutter, the

.tongue which is formed at the lower end of vthe plate 22 and which, in Figure 8, is designated 32'. is bent inwardly slightly toward the guide sleeve 28.

. Secured in this tongue portion, to extend outwardly from the outer side thereof, is the threaded inner end portion 69 of a pivot or bearing screw 10. n

Rotatably mountedupon the bearing screw 'lli is a cutter wheel 1| from the outer side of which v extends the relatively long hub l2.

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By providing the relatively long bearing screw and hub 12, extreme stability is given to the cutter wheel ll, avoiding any relative movement between the edge thereof and the adjacent driving wheel, and supporting wheel, when Athe cutter is moved inwardly toward its operating position.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that in the rotary can opener structure herein disclosed the single hand crank is employedv to effect the tensioning of the spring i9 and themovement of the cutterv element into and out of f operating positions and to also impart the necesbead so as to press the bead firmly against the f toothed periphery of the driving wheel. This position of the knife, the wheels and the can bead is most clearly illustrated in Figure 4. It will thus be seen that the can bead will be firmly engaged between the inner face of the knife and the periphery of the driving wheel and at the same time it will be supported upon the underlying wheel 62 so that all possibility of the can escaping from position.is eliminated.

After the parts of' the opener have been positioned as stated, rotary motion is imparted to the driving wheel by turning the crank so that the driving wheel will impart the desired turning motion to the can in the correct direction to turn the can top toward the cutting edge of the knife.

Due to the inclination of the engaging teeth of the driving wheel a slight upward thrust will be given against the can rim which. tends to lift the head or top of the can toward the cutting edge of a knife.

In Figure 7 there is illustrated a slight modification of that part of the opener. which engages the side of the can below the driving wheel. The modification in this construction relates to the bearing frame and the can rim supporting wheel. In this construction the spring' plate, here designated I1', is terminated in the plane of the under face of the lower arm i4 forming Ia part of the sary rotary motion to the can through the can driving wheel. The swinging of the hand crank into 'operative position forces the knife blade firmly against the inner side of the can rim orbead and compresses the same between the knife and the can driving wheel. As soon as the hand crank is raised the spring i9 reacts to lift the cutter element away from the can so that the latter may be immediately removed from the opener device.

The tension of the vertical spring bracket plate I of the extended axis of the can driving wheel shaft, when the handle 5d is in the position illustratedin Figures 3 and 4, so as to prevent any accidental upswinging of the said handle 5d.

It will be seen that the wheels or rollers 53 roll freely in. a straight plane when the handle d is swung upwardly or downwardly. y It will also be seenl that the axes of the pivotpins 52 for the wheels or rollers di lare in line with each other and that this axis also intersects the axis of the can driving wheel shaft so that the wheels or rollers 53 roll upon the disc 36 anti-frictionally when the handle Ell is rotated. By the use of ments comprising a driving wheel adapted to ,latory movement transversely of said axis for these anti-frictional wheels or rollers and by forming the teeth 40 on the can driving wheel at a predetermined degree of angularity, it will be seen that longitudinal friction can be reduced .to a minimum and that comparatively little downward thrust will be imparted by .the can against the can supporting wheel or roller while the can driving wheel shaft is being rotated. This materially reduces the amount of effort required to operate the device.

The diagonal or helica1 teeth of the can driving wheel provide for continuous circumferential tooth contact of the can driving wheel with the rim of the can, inasmuch as the teeth overlap and the can rim remains the same distance from the axis of the can driving wheel during rotation, assuring smoothl operation and increased strength for the teeth of the can driving wheel. l The method of pivoting the crank to the can driving wheel shaft for swinging movement assures adequate strength and maximum durability.

I Iclaim:

1. A rotary type can opener, comprising a body portion designed to be disposed adjacent to the top of a can rim bead, a pair of wheels operatively coupled With the body for rotation and having a relative position whereby one may be'operatively engaged against the outer side oi the bead while the otheris operatively engaged against the underside of -the bead, a cutter carried by the body for movement relative to the said one wheelto secure the bead between the said one wheel and the cutter, means for moving the cutter relatively to the' said one wheel, and means for rotating the said one wheel, the other wheel in its engagement with the under edge of the bead, functioning as a support for the can.

2. A rotary type can opener as set forth in claim 1, in which the said means for moving the cutter toward the one wheel and for turning 40 the said one Wheel, comprises a single hand crank.

3. A rotary type can opener, comprising a body portion designed to be disposed adjacent to engage the outer side of the rim bead, the other l rotary element being positioned for engagement against the under edge of the bead to support the can, a portion of the said other rotary element being arranged to contact the side of a can at a distance. below the bead, a cutter element supported by the body for movement toward and away from the periphery of said wheel, and means' for effecting the movement of the cutter element relative to the periphery of the wheel, the cutter element when moved to a predetermined position with respect lto the periphery of the wheel for the penetration of a can head, functioning to secure the rim bead lagainst the periphery of said wheel, said means further being operatively coupled to the wheel for effecting the rotation thereof.

4. A rotary type can opener as set forth in claim 3, wherein the said means for moving the cutter relative to said Wheel, comprises a single hand crank supported for rotary movement on the axis of rotation of the wheel and for oscileffecting movement of the cutter toward the wheel. 5. A rotary type can opener as set forth in claim 3, with a spring member forming the connecting means between the cutter and the body, V

Wheel periphery.

6.,A rotary typev can opener, comprising a 4body designed to be mountedin a fixed position, a guide carried by the body, a shaft passing through said guide and supported for rotation, a driving wheel supported upon one end of the shaft and adapted to have peripheral contact with the outer side of a can rim bead, a crank operatively coupled with the other'end of the shaft for imparting rotation to the shaft, the crank being adapted for oscillatory movement on an axis perpendicularto the shaft, means coupled with the body for engaging the under edge of the can rim bead to assist in maintaining the can in position, a cutter, means carrying the cutter and movable to shift the cutter into can head penetrating position, said last means normally acting to urge movement of the cutter away from such position, and means operatively coupledwith the crank for effecting the movement of the cutter into the stated position, the cutter when in the can head penetrating position functioningv to maintain said bead in operative contact with the periphery of the driving Wheel.

7. A rotary type can opener, comprising a body havingtwo spaced portions, a tubular guide connecting and opening at its ends through said portions, means for supporting the body with said portions one above the other, a substantially U-shaped spring having one side fixed and having its other side extending across the top of the upper one of said portions and biasedl to separate from its fixed side, the said other side of the spring including an angular extension directed toward the plane of the lower portion, a shaft extending through said guide and through said upper side of the spring, a crank connected with the upper end of the shaft for. oscillation on an axis extending transversely of the shaft, the shaft being rotatable by the crank, means coupled with the crank for imposing a. down thrust upon said spring upper part upon oscillation of the crank in one direction, a can rim bead engaging driving wheel carried upon the lower end of said shaft, means adjacent to said wheel for engaging the underside of the can rim bead, and a. cutter carried upon the lower end of the said angular extension in positionto be moved into cooperative relation with said driving wheel by the application of down thrust to the said spring upper side.

8. A rotary type can opener as set forth in claim '1, in which the said means for engaging the underside of the can rim 'bead comprises a wheel located beneath the first wheel and supported for rotation on an axis perpendicular to said shaft.

9. A rotary type can opener of the character stated in claim 7, in which the said means for engaging the underside of the can rim bead, comprises `a rotatable element which in addition to its engagement of the can rim bead is constructed and arranged to engage the side rassassin of a Vcan at a substantial distance below the bead. A

' supported upon the stem and having the periphery of the rim.in close proximity to the' underside of the first wheel and extending part way 'beyond the periphery of the nrst wheel,

il. A` rotary type can opener as set forth in claim 7, in which the said means for vengaging the undersideof the can rim bead comprises an i0. A rotary type can opener of the characterl relation with said driving wheel and upon the inner side of a can rim bead having contact at its outer side with the driving wheel, and means for engaging and supplying support for the under edge of the bead.

A rotary type can opener of the character set forth in claim 14, in which the said means for imposing down thrust upon the spring arms, comprises an inverted substantially U-shaped yoke and a pair of bearing wheels carried by opposite sides of the yoke and through which the ldown.-

ward thrust is transmitted to the adjacent spring arbor supported in perpendicular relation with the shaft and having a-reduced pivot stem portion intersecting the axis of the shaft, a wheel having a relatively 'long hub mounted upon said pivot.

stem, the peripheral surface 'of lthe last wheel being in relatively close proximity to rthe under.-

having an encircling collar, and means engag- 4 ing over said collar for limiting the movement of the hub and the wheel forming a part thereof axially upon the stem.

12. A rotary type can opener of the character stated in claim 7, in which said shaft is extended below the driving wheel and the said means for.

engaging the underside of the can rim bead comprises a sleeve upon the extended lower end of side of thefirst wheel and extending part way beyond the periphery of the first wheel, said hub the shaft and a wheel attached to and 'conceni tric 'with the sleeve and having a diameter greater than the driving wheel.

, 13. A rotary type can openeras'stated in claim 7, in which said shaft is extended below the driving wheel and the said means for engaging the underside of the can rim bead comprises a sleeve mounted upon the extended lower end' of the shaft and two spaced wheels carried vby and concentric with the sleeve and ofa diameter greater than the diameter of the driving wheel- 14. A rotary type can opener, comprising a substantially U-shaped body having a plate portion and two spaced arm portions, means connected with the plate portion for supporting the body with the arms one above the other, a tubular guide secured between and opening at its ends through said arms, the lower one of said arms having its end edge provided with a recess form- -ing spaced side members, said side members being 16. A rotary type can opener of the character statedin claim 14, including a bearing sleeve encircling the shaft and extending into and through the major extent of the guide sleeve, said bearing sleeve having a flat head upon its upper end overlying and engaging the .top springl arm, and the said means for imposing a down thrust upon the spring top arm comprising an inverted substantially U-shaped yoke joined to the crank arm, a second U-shaped yoke secured to the upper end of the shaft and having the first yoke in straddling relation therewith and pivotally connected thereto, and a pair of bearing wheels carried by the yoke and vengaging the top surface ofthe plate upon opposite sides of the shaft upon the oscillation of the hand crank in the` said one direction. y I

v1'?. A rotary type can opener, comprising a supporting arm, a substantially U-shaped body member having a back plate secured tothe end of the arm and having spaced upper and lower arms, a spring plate secured to the end of the supporting arm and having an upper portion formed to provide va substantially horizontally disposed U- shaped spring having -two normally divergent sides arranged one above the other, the upper one of the spring sides extending across the upper arm of the body and terminating in an angularly vextending downwardly directed portion, said and 'joining a downwardly directed extension, the

spring plate being extended below the supporting arm and formed to provide a bearing frame having two spaced side portions, one of the side portions having an upper edge coupled with the lower edge of the supporting arm, an arbor supported. between the side portions of the bearing frame and having aforwardly directed portion forming a pivot stem disposed below the lower arm of the body, a tubular guide connecting the arms of the body and opening at its ends through the arms, the -upper portion of the spring having an opening aligning with the opening of the guide, a bearing sleeve extending into said guide and having a head .plate pon its upper end overlying and resting upon t e top portion of the spring,

a. shaft extending through the bearing sleeve; a can rim engaging driving wheel carried upon the lower end of the shaft, the axes of the shaft and the stem intersecting, a hand crank, a pivotal coupling between one end of the hand crank and the upper end of the shaft by which the hand crank may be oscillated on an axis perpendicular .to the shaft, means connected with the pivoted for oscillation on an axis perpendicular to the l shaft, the shaft being rotatable by the hand crank, means coupled with the hand crank for imposing-a down thrust upon the upper arm of a can and to bringvthe cutter into cooperative end of the hand crank for engaging said head plate and imposinga downward thrust lthereon and upon the upper portion of the spring upon oscillation of the hand crank to a predetermined position, the hand crank when in the said predetermined position being operable for rotating the shaft, a wheel rotatably supported upon said pivot stem .and having its peripheral face adjacent to the periphery of the driving wheel and adapted to engage the 'underside' of a can-rim ing cutter carried upon the free end of the angular extension of the upper spr-ing portion to be moved into close cooperating relation with the periphery of the can rim'bead engaging drivingwheel by and upon the said imposition of'down thrust by the hand crank.v

. beadto support thecan, 'and a can head penetratf 18. A rotary type can opener, comprising a of the shaft, a hand crank coupled with the upper end of the shaft for vertical oscillation upon an axisextending perpendicular to the shaft, resilient means connected with said bearing sleeve and normally urging movement of the sleeve upwardly, means coupled with vthe pivoted end of the hand crank for applying downward thrust against the bearing sleeve and against the tension of said spring upon oscillation of the hand crankinto a predetermined position, the hand crank when in said position being rotatable for the turning of the shaft and said wheel, a cutter connected with said .resilient means and arranged to be moved downwardly into cooperative relation with the periphery of the driving wheel upon the imposition of said down thrust and to be raised to an inoperative position with respect to the driving wheel 'with.- the resilient means upon release of the down thrust, and means arranged for cooperative action-With said driving wheel to engage the under edge of a can rim bead for the support of the latter.

' 19. A rotary type can opener ofthe character stated in clairn.18,' in which the last mentioned meanscomprises a wheel supported for rotation on an axis perpendicular tothe shaft and intersecting the axis of the shaft, said wheel having a relatively wide periphery in close proximity to the undersurface of the-driving wheel-and ex tending beyond the periphery of the latter.

20. A rotary type can opener of the characterstated in claim 18, in which the last mentioned means comprises a wheel supported for rotation on .an axis perpendicular to the shaft and intersecting' the axis of the shaft, the last'mentioned wheel having a relatively wide periphery in close proximity to the underface ofthe driving wheel and extending beyond the periphery of th latter, the second mentioned wheel being supported for axial movement, and means lfor limiting the axial movement of the second mentioned wheel.

21. A rotary type can openerofthe character stated in claim 18, in which said driving wheel has the periphery thereof provded with diagonal teeth arranged to impart an upward thrust against a can rim bead in engagement therewith.

22.'A rotary type can opener of the character stated in claim 18, in which the lastA mentioned means comprises a wheel of larger diameter than.

the can rim bead engaging driving wheel and -disposed below and concentric with the driving and disposed below and concentric with the driving wheel, the uppermost one ofthe said two wheels being positioned against the underside of the driving'wheel.

. ROBERT E. MoLEAN. 

